Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping now

The Weight Loss Drug We Need to Talk About


By: Emily Oberg 

 

If you live in Los Angeles, you’ve probably heard of the latest weight loss trend responsible for shrinking your favorite celebrity into a size 00. If you live in a “normal” city where looks aren’t the end all be all (I’m truly jealous), then maybe this is news to you. If cocaine was the drug of choice for supermodels in the 90s, today it’s Ozempic. But it’s not just supermodels who are taking this new drug, it’s quickly becoming the go to for both celebrities and average joes alike. I first heard about Ozempic when friends of mine were discussing a certain celebrity’s drastic weight loss— “What has she been doing?” “Who is her trainer?” “She must be on some insanely strict diet.” Alas, it wasn’t any of the above, it was Ozempic. When you live in a city where any shred of culture has been replaced by how to look better, younger, thinner, hotter etc.— word spreads faster than Californian wildfires about anything that can get you results with little to no effort. 

 

I noticed that more and more of my friend groups were talking about Ozempic, and how friends of theirs were now on it— touting its dramatic and noticeable results. I was fascinated, not by the drug itself, but by the fact that regular, perfectly fit and healthy people were taking a prescription drug to lose weight. Even thin people I knew were taking it. What the fuck was happening to the world? Are we so brainwashed by vanity that we’re now injecting ourselves with drugs in order to lose a few pounds, without hesitation? Two things immediately came to mind. One— I’ve gotta get the F out of LA and two, there’s no way this drug can be safe. I had to dig deeper. 

 

Ozempic is first and foremost a diabetes medication. Its website states that the weekly injection is used to “ Improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.” And, “to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease.” When it comes to aiding in weight loss, the drug works by mimicking the hormone that makes us feel full, also known as GLP-1 hormone. When you take Ozempic, your body is falsely telling you that you’re full, even if you’ve eaten nothing. It's kind of like a self-induced eating disorder. 

 

Don’t get me wrong, there are PLENTY of people out there who greatly benefit from the drug, who have conditions that make losing weight next to impossible and who’s lives can be saved by Ozempic. But taking it purely for vanity reasons when you’re not overweight or a diabetic? To me it’s simply irresponsible and in poor taste. Going to the gym everyday isn’t easy, eating a proper diet isn’t easy, but good things hardly ever come easy, and it’s not fair that people are abusing this drug to shed a few extra pounds for the sake of achieving their ideal of thinness. This is especially sickening when people who actually have diabetes and need the drug, can’t get their hands on it. 

 

“The shortage of Ozempic has been frustrating for our patients and for us health care providers,” said Nicole Schneider, a diabetes nurse practitioner in Madison, Wisconsin. “Some patients have been on Ozempic for many years, and it’s proven to work extremely well for them. It is upsetting that many patients who don’t even have diabetes are getting Ozempic prescriptions for weight loss.” 

 

Another issue that I have with the drug is that people aren’t being transparent about the fact that they’re taking it. Please don’t tell your 20 million+ followers that your new body is all thanks to working out and eating well when it simply just isn’t the case. If you feel you need to take a drug to lose weight, that’s your choice, but don’t lie and simultaneously make people feel bad because they aren’t getting the same results as you. If you’re on it, own it. 

 

In recent weeks, reports have been popping up revealing the drug's accelerated facial aging effects. In a New York Times article, one user said, “I remember looking in the mirror, and it was almost like I didn’t even recognise myself. My body looked great, but my face looked exhausted and old.” In the Times’ article, an NYC derm revealed “A 50-year-old patient will come in, and suddenly, she’s super-skinny and needs filler, which she never needed before. I look at her and say: ‘How long have you been on Ozempic?’ And I’m right 100 per cent of the time,”

 

But this is just one of the many risks that Ozempic poses. The drug’s official website states the below risks and potential side effects:

 

-Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer.

-inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). -changes in vision. 

-low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 

-kidney problems (kidney failure). 

-gallbladder problems. 

 

We all want to look and feel our best, I’m included in that hands down. But at what cost? How far are we willing to go to achieve our unrealistic standards of beauty? We have to ask ourselves, why are we so obsessed with looking a certain way? Who is it for? Does it make our lives any more fulfilling? Peaceful? Happier? It’s time we took a good, long look in the mirror and wondered what’s really important to us, and what really enhances the quality of our lives. Chances are the answer has nothing to do with an injectable appetite suppressant. 



https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/style/ozempic-weight-loss-drugs-aging.html

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ozempic-weight-loss-diabetes-drug-11665520937

 

https://diatribe.org/how-people-diabetes-are-getting-during-ozempic-shortage

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/people-diabetes-struggle-find-ozempic-soars-popularity-weight-loss-aid-rcna64916

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/20/trending-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-are-shipping-to-more-american-homes.html

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ozempic-face-before-and-after-photos-weight-loss-b2270262.html







Previous
Next

The Wellness Club

Reducing Inflammation Through Exercise

Reducing Inflammation Through Exercise

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder @chrisbardawil Joint pain after exercise, headaches or brain fog after a bad night's sleep, and digestive distress after eating are all symptoms of systemic inflammation. While there are many articles and discussions about various foods and diets to reduce inflammation, little attention is paid to reducing inflammation through exercise. Inflammation in itself isn't a bad thing....

Read more
Stomach Acid: the Key to Digestion and Glowing Skin

Stomach Acid: the Key to Digestion and Glowing Skin

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co The purpose of the human digestive system is to break down foods, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste; without this, humans would not be able to function. Stomach acid plays a key role in this process, allowing the body not only to survive but to thrive. After chewing, the food we eat travels to the stomach. The stomach churns and combines broken...

Read more
A Naturopathic Approach to Skin Health

A Naturopathic Approach to Skin Health

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

Q&A with Dr. Laura Belus 1) Tell us a bit about yourself    I am a practising naturopathic doctor in Mississauga Canada. My focus is on hormonal health, specifically when it comes to acne, PMS and fertility. My own journey...

Read more
Creating a Self-Care Routine for Busy Professionals

Creating a Self-Care Routine for Busy Professionals

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy If you’re a high-achieving woman, you likely relate to juggling multiple responsibilities, from demanding careers to personal commitments. When we are overwhelmed, it’s easy to believe the limiting stories we tell ourselves about not having enough time. We must willingly embrace a different narrative: that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is...

Read more
Restrictive Diets: The Hidden Costs on your Gut, Mind, and Immune System

Restrictive Diets: The Hidden Costs on your Gut, Mind, and Immune System

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co ‘Restrictive diet’ is an umbrella term that encompasses changes to how, when and what one eats. To some, avoiding junk food is considered restrictive; to others, a restrictive diet may be as extreme as consuming food from only one food group or strictly avoiding others. Regardless, the ultimate question is, when do restrictive diets help and when do they harm?

Read more
Vitamin Sea: 5 Mind, Body, and Beauty Benefits of Ocean Water

Vitamin Sea: 5 Mind, Body, and Beauty Benefits of Ocean Water

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @emma.walsh Author Isak Dinesen famously said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." We all know that staying active and releasing emotions is vital for our health—and as someone who grew up on the coast going to the beach year round, I also believe...

Read more
Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?

Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil Over the past few years intermittent fasting has become the golden child of the wellness community all due to the miraculous effects it can have on your health.   Intermittent fasting is avoiding eating or drinking...

Read more
Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?

Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

A Note from a Dermatologist: @dermahealthnutrition The world of aesthetic dermatology is experiencing a refreshing shift towards a trend known as "skinimalism" (Skin + Minimalism). This movement is a response to the overwhelming abundance of skincare products and complex routines that have dominated the beauty industry in recent years. At its core, skinimalism advocates a minimalist approach...

Read more
Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery

Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy  Many of us are busier than ever before. We juggle demanding careers, personal responsibilities, and social obligations to name a few, and if you’re a high-achiever this list may never seem to end. Burnout is a growing concern today due...

Read more
How Alcohol Effects Your Gut

How Alcohol Effects Your Gut

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood By now, almost everyone knows that alcohol is not the healthiest thing for our minds and bodies. But what do we know about the effect that alcohol has on our gut microbiome health? Before I answer this, there are a few terms I want to define for...

Read more
The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face

The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

 By: @ericabassotherapy It's hopeful to see how much society has progressed in embracing mental health discussions. But as a mental health provider, I still notice gaps in our understanding of accurate mental health information. We can all get better at recognizing signs of mental health struggles and feeling empowered to seek support when needed. As a licensed...

Read more
The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion

The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co The concept of the skin barrier has become a part of many skincare aficionado’s vocabulary, but what does it really mean?  It is important to remember...

Read more